Something that you may not know about me is that I am, by true nature, a teacher. It isn’t uncommon for me to spend a few minutes with my clients answering common photography or camera function questions. I love photography so much that seeing that lightbulb go off for other people makes my day. I’ve grown up in a teaching environment, my mom owns a preschool, my grandparents and aunt were teachers. At the age of 14, I was running holiday day camps for my neighbour’s little girl and her two friends and I met my husband at the summer camp in Maine that I was a camp counsellor at. I actually entered university to be a teacher with a minor in fine art. But then something amazing happened that would change the course of my life forever. I took a photography course and not only fell in love with the medium, I excelled at it. I had always loved art as a means to express myself but this was much different. I FELT the love, the rush; my heart beats faster with a camera in my hand and people in front of my lens. I decided that photography was my path and that I needed to be at the right school. For me it was the Alberta College of Art and Design and I, along with 15 others, beat out over 80 applicants for the coveted program. By 2006, I graduated from ACAD with a B.Fa in photography. Ever since, I have enjoyed working for myself and loving every minute.
About three years ago, a friend’s mom approached me to create a photography program for her grade 2 and 3 students. I’m not one to miss out on any opportunity, especially one that involved teaching AND photography. I worked with the elementary children for about 3 months and revelled in the experience. It was amazing to hear these children talk about and understand aperture and shutter and discuss the elements of photography in their pictures. (The above picture is of Gerry the Giraffe who teaches the elements of photography) I became an Artist in Residence almost by accident. From that one program’s word of mouth, I have now worked with 3 schools in as many years. This year, I was given an AFA grant to work with a fine arts based public elementary school. About a week ago, I listened to CBC radio’s SPARK program and that day’s guest was Ingrid talking about her work with the Aesthetics of Joy. The gist of her research is the idea of knowing people’s expectations for a situation, then slightly altering given situation, resulting in a feeling of unexpected happiness and joy. No sooner had I been so completely enraptured by her words, had I then experienced firsthand my own version of Ingrid’s research.
As I walked up to my intended classroom I noticed two things. The room was empty still and a rainbow of colored crepe paper streamers had been taped over the door. I didn’t think too much about it as I walked through the colorful curtain until the children started making their way through the door. All of a sudden the door space became a unique and joyful experience. It wasn’t just a means to an end, it was colorful. happy. tactile. Watching the children smile as they walked through the door, being respectful of the delicate crepe paper, yet still opening their arms and letting them flow over their arms, was such a cool moment, especially after listening to the recent interview. I told the story to the teacher of the classroom and it was then that she told me the streamers weren’t her creation or idea. The other grade one teachers had surprised her with the rainbow curtain as a way to boost her spirits during a particularly rough few days in her personal life. Her face brightened as she told me this and how the curtain had greeted her as she opened her door. Simple acts can create happiness.
Ingrid’s blog can be followed here. I highly recommend it. http://aestheticsofjoy.com/